German media: "European Parliament Passes Tough-on-China Resolution: No Market Access, Then Retaliation!" According to Deutsche Welle, reporting late on October 8, the European Parliament adopted a resolution with strong rhetoric toward China by a vote of 454 to 86. At its core, the resolution calls for "economic reciprocity" and underscores that "if China does not open its market, the EU will take corresponding countermeasures." Last year, the EU recorded a trade deficit with China of approximately €360 billion. Brussels has accused Beijing of leveraging state subsidies to fuel unfair competition.
On October 7, the European Parliament passed a report on China with 454 votes in favor, 86 opposed, and 110 abstentions. The document reinstates the characterization of China as a "systemic rival," citing concerns over "overcapacity" and "subsidy-driven competition." It also advocates for maintaining a "persistent naval presence" by the EU navy near the Taiwan Strait and calls for joint military exercises in the region. However, the European Parliament is not the EU executive; this document carries no legal binding force and cannot directly impose tariffs, dispatch warships, or alter EU policy toward China. Its function is to amplify a hardline tone ahead of talks between the EU Trade Commissioner and Chinese officials—effectively providing political ammunition and shaping an atmosphere of pressure on the European Commission and member states.
Moreover, the European Parliament is far from unified. A motion proposed by left-wing factions also passed, preserving references to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" and a commitment to "avoiding decoupling." In essence, this reflects a contradictory stance: while labeling China as a strategic challenge, it still hesitates to discard the label of "partnership" entirely. Notably, France and Germany have recently submitted informal proposals to the European Commission calling for the establishment of a new mechanism to restrict market access—a tool designed to bypass opposition from individual member states.
It is reported that the European Commission is considering introducing import quotas on Chinese hybrid electric vehicles. Currently, Chinese hybrid vehicles account for about one-quarter of total hybrid vehicle sales in Europe, and an even higher share among plug-in hybrids. The EU now faces a fundamental dilemma: it relies on Chinese green technology products to advance its own energy transition, yet fears becoming dependent on Chinese supply chains. Simultaneously, it seeks to impose tariffs to protect domestic industries, but worries such measures could trigger inflation and harm European automakers. This contradiction remains unresolved in the short term, making a pattern of "dialogue alongside confrontation" likely to persist.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878530199212040/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.